Nonprofit news roundup, 05.23.14

Over 1,500 nonprofits in North Carolina have government contracts and grants totaling nearly $3 billion, and those nonprofits face tough, ongoing financial challenges, often to a relatively greater extent overall than their counterparts throughout the U.S., a new report says.

Those government-funded nonprofits represent over 14 percent of the more than 10,500 charitable nonprofits with annual revenues over $50,000 that the North Carolina Center for Nonprofits says are located in the state.

In 2012, says the report from the Urban Institute, among North Carolina nonprofits with government funding through grants and contracts:

* 54 percent saw less revenue from state government agencies, compared to 43 percent among government-funded nonprofits throughout the U.S. that saw less state government revenue.

* 56 percent saw less revenue from federal government agencies, compared to 47 percent among government-funded nonprofits throughout the U.S.

The report, the “National Study of Nonprofit-Government Contracting: State Rankings,” also says that, among government-funded nonprofits, compared to those in the U.S.:

* 19 percent reduced the number of people served, compared to 14 percent.

* 9 percent reduced the number of their programs or services, compared to 11 percent.

* 2 percent reduced the number of their offices or program sites, compared to 6 percent.

Filter joins SAFEchild as development director

Shana Filter, assistant development director at St. Mary’s School in Raleigh, since 2008, has been named development director at SAFEchild, a child abuse prevention agency.

Filter, who begins her new job July 14, succeeds Nancy Bromhal, who joined Habitat for Humanity of Wake County as director of the annual fund and communications.

SECCA names Schroeder development director

Connie Schroeder, former director of advancement and operations at Piedmont Opera in Winston-Salem, has been named director of development at the Southeast Center for Contemporary Art in Winston-Salem.

Lloyd named executive director of National Guard Association

Craig Lloyd, executive director of the Muscular Dystrophy Association, has been named executive director of the North Carolina National Guard Association.

Bratcher in interim major-gifts job at Medical Foundation

Priscilla Bratcher, senior adviser at Armstrong McGuire Philanthropic Advisory Group in Raleigh, is serving as interim major gifts officer at The Medical Foundation of North Carolina.

Mooresville schools superintendent honored

Mark A. Edwards, superintendent of Mooresville Graded School District, has been named named the recipient of the 2014 Public School Forum of North Carolina Jay Robinson Education Leadership Award.

The award, which recognizes exemplary leaders who have made outstanding contributions to public education, will be presented to Edwards at a reception and luncheon on June 9 in Raleigh.

SAS is the presenting sponsor of this year’s award.

Passage Home kicks off $200,000 drive

Passage Home, a Raleigh nonprofit that works to break the cycle of poverty and homelessness for families in Wake County, has launched “The Misperception Project,” an effort to raise $200,000 in unrestricted funds to set 90 impoverished families on the path to self-sufficiency.

A key goal of the effort, which runs through June 30, is to change public attitudes away from stereotypes about people facing difficult economic situations.

John Crosland School gets $50,000

The John Crosland School in Charlotte has received a $50,000 from the Reemprise Fund, which encourages entrepreneurial ventures by nonprofits.

The school will use the funds to launch the Odyssey Project this fall for students to begin using tablet and keyboard devices equipped with personalized learning software – part of a year-long pilot project designed to help children with learning differences reach their full potential.

The Odyssey Project initially will involve four classrooms and 48 students. The entire school could join the program by August 2015.

Junior League of Greensboro honored

The Junior League of Greensboro has been awarded The Leadership Development Award of $10,000 from the Association of Junior Leagues International.

Presented the Association’s 92nd Annual Conference in St. Louis, the award was one of 10 recognizing the work of 10 Junior Leagues.

At its 4th Annual Women’s Leadership Summit on April 4, the Junior League of Greensboro raised over $98,500

And its executive committee has named Leigh Anne Michaux Bullin, the League’s technology chair for 2013-14, as the recipient of the organization’s President’s Service Award for her work in developing, putting into effect and overseeing the overhaul of the league’s software and management system.

Hospice to benefit from Mount Airy event

Mountain Valley Hospice and Palliative Care will received proceeds from Tour de Mayberry, which will be held June 7 in Mount Airy and will include activities for cyclists, walkers, runners, and people of all ages.

Emily K Center holds commencement

Nine seniors from high schools across Durham who are headed for college were presented with sweatshirts from those colleges at a graduation ceremony at The Emily Krzyzewski Center in Durham.

The graduating seniors are among 150 students in grades 1-12 who attend the Emily K Center’s out-of-school programming designed to help them achieve in school, gain entry to college, and break the cycle of poverty in their families.

The Center was founded by Mike Krzyzewski, men’s basketball coach at Duke University.

School of Government at UNC-Chapel Hill gets $7.1 million

The School of Government at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has received a pledge of $7.1 million from Local Government Federal Credit Union for initiatives to support North Carolina local governments.

Duke gets $1.5 million to endow professorship at Divinity School

Jack Bovender, a trustee of Duke University and retired chair and CEO of Hospital Corporation of America, and his wife, Barbara, have given $1.5 million to endow a professorship at the Duke Divinity School.

The gift will fund the Jack and Barbara Bovender Professor of Anglican Episcopal Studies and Ministry, to be held by the director of the Anglican Episcopal House of Studies.

Five Durham groups get $63,200

The Raleigh affiliate of the National Christian Foundation awarded a total of $63,200 in April to JusticeMatters, Durham Rescue Mission, Child Evangelism Fellowship, Uhuru Child and The Church of the Good Shepherd, all in Durham.

Health underwriters to hear national lobbyist

Jessica Waltman, senior vice president of government affairs for the National Association of Health Underwriters, will be the speaker on June 3 at the monthly meeting of the Triad Association of Health Underwriters. The meeting, which begins at 11:45 a.m., will be held at Starmount Forest Country Club in Greensboro.

Naomi Judd to speak at domestic violence event

Country-music star Naomi Judd will share her personal story of domestic violence during “Home Free,” the third annual benefit luncheon in Forsyth County to end domestic violence.

Hosted by Family Services and the Children’s Law Center of Central North Carolina, the event is scheduled for October 16 from noon to 1:30 p.m. at the Benton Convention Center in Winston-Salem.

High Point Historical Society honors volunteers

The High Point Historical Society recognized volunteers at its annual meeting May 8.

Jim Armstrong and Anne Andrews received special recognition for over 50 years as advocates and volunteers of the High Point Museum and the High Point Historical Society.

Stories that inspire

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Philanthropy North Carolina, the consulting practice of Todd Cohen, works with nonprofits to create those stories.
Contact Todd at 919.272.2051 or toddcohen49@gmail.com.